Rajnath stopped in the interest of peace: Azam Khan

Rampur (UP): Defending UP government`s decision to not permit BJP chief Rajnath Singh to visit riot-hit Muzaffranagar, senior SP leader Mohammed Azam Khan on Sunday said that it was done for the "peace and tranquillity" in the area.

"Rajnath Singh`s entry was stopped on the basis of a report of the administration which could not be overlooked or neglected in the best interest of peace and tranquillity of the sensitive area," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Khan.

"Rajnath ji has himself occupied the pivotal post (Chief Minister) in Uttar Pradesh and so he should realise what the government and administration should do on the occasions when the law and order of the state is at stake," Khan said.

Dismissing the controversy surrounding yoga guru Baba Ramdev`s detention at the London airport, Khan said, "Baba has created a suspicious image for himself after he fled the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi under the garb of a woman. So if security persons in Britain detained him on suspicion what is the point to condemn them."

He, however, called for the Centre`s attention in such cases.

"Britishers have been in the habit of insulting Indians visiting their country even for noble purposes. This situation needs government attention," he said.

Criticising the CBI for "delaying the submission of the closure report in the disproportionate assets case against Mulayam Singh Yadav", Khan said, "the agency needs to be impartial. The delay of six years in filing the closure report has damaged its image. It has proved that the agency does not take its own decisions, but waits for nod from the above."